Pinarayi Vijayan's story is a testament to the power of hard work and determination. Born in a small coastal village in Kerala, he was the 14th child of a family struggling with poverty. His father passed away early, leaving Pinarayi to take up handloom weaving after completing his education.

Despite the challenges he faced, Pinarayi was a bright student and eventually secured admission to Government Brennen College in Thalassery. There, he excelled in student politics and became a highly capable student leader. He went on to join the Kerala Students' Federation, the predecessor to the Students' Federation of India, where he served as both president and secretary.

Pinarayi's entry into the Communist Party of India (Marxist) marked the beginning of his political journey. He was just 24 years old when he joined the Kannur district committee, and by 28, he was a key member of the party's district secretariat. His first election victory came in 1970, and he went on to win multiple terms from various constituencies.

Pinarayi's supporters are particularly proud of his actions during the Emergency years when he was arrested and subjected to physical abuse for raising his voice against the suspension of civil liberties by Indira Gandhi. Instead of backing down, he returned to public life and continued his work.

As the chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi faced numerous challenges, including the devastating floods in 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these setbacks, he implemented effective measures to control the spread of the virus, earning international recognition for Kerala's public health response.

At 80, Pinarayi Vijayan remains an influential voice in the CPI(M), but his tenure has also been marked by criticism over fiscal stress and internal dissent within the party. His opponents continue to raise issues related to political violence in Kannur, the district that made him.

As Kerala gears up for the polls on May 4, exit polls indicate that Pinarayi Vijayan may not return as chief minister. However, his legacy as a leader who modernized Kerala will be remembered for years to come.